Watch Apple TV+ Movies
TV Shows and more
Try 7-Day Free
Home >

Anthony Johnson

Anthony Johnson

Birthday: 1966-01-31 | Place of Birth: Compton, California, USA

Anthony Johnson (February 1, 1966 – September 6, 2021), sometimes credited as A. J. Johnson, was an American actor and comedian. He was best known for his role as "Ezal” in the 1995 comedy film Friday. Born in Compton, California, his father Eddie Smith was a stuntman and a co-founder of the Black Stuntmen's Association. Johnson had credited his father for helping him enter the film industry, by getting him to work in film productions. He had also credited the comedian Robin Harris for helping him earlier on in his career as a stand-up comedian and giving him another chance even when he was jeered for his bad performance. Johnson began acting in his early twenties. In 1990, he landed a starring role as E.Z.E. in House Party, after which he started doing stand-up in bars in Los Angeles. He later appeared in Lethal Weapon 3 as a drug dealer and in Menace II Society. His biggest role was in the 1995 comedy Friday, as Ezal, a crackhead and thief. He also appeared in Panther, The Players Club, B*A*P*S, I Got the Hook-Up, Def Jam's How to Be a Player and Repos, and in rap videos: in Dr. Dre's "Dre Day" (1992), he played Sleazy-E, a parody of Eazy-E, and he appeared again as Sleazy-E in the video for Eazy-E's "Real Muthaphuckkin G's" (1993), this time being assaulted.

...

Known For

Acting

Year
Title

Role

2022
Boosters LA

as    Kenny

2019
I Got the Hook Up 2

as    Blue

2018
Hey, Mr. Postman!

as    Cousin Tino

2018
5K1

as    Wash Manager

2017
Candy

as    Lollipop

2006
2006
Repos

as    Tick Tack

2004
Hittin' It!

as    Cousin E (as A.J. Johnson)

2004
Sweet Oranges

as    Himself

2004
2002
On the Edge

as    Hank Conrad

2001
O

as    Dell

2000
Baller Blockin'

as    Fast Eddie

2000
Hot Boyz

as    Pee Wee

1998
I Got the Hook-Up

as    Blue

1997
B.A.P.S

as    James

1994
House Party 3

as    Butcher